Word Praize

Ask Me Faqqly

 

Have a question to ask me about writing, christian publishing, the gospel recording industry or ATL? Click here and I will answer you in a flash. Faqqly is an open end interface, widget driven beta site, so it always you to interact with your favorite gospel diva or favorite author in real time.  Isn't that cool. So you don't have to run to your email, to await an answer just check in at Faqqly.

 

I'm looking for authors to feature on Faqqly for interactive interviews with your readers, contact me here if you're interested.

 

This week Essence Bestselling author and one of my ride-or-die chicks, Tia McCollors will answer my questions and yours. Want to know about her newest novel, Zora's Cry, how's new motherhood treating her, or how crazy I really am, hit the link and she'll answer you, faqqly. :)

 

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Judging Christy

 

This year I judged the Romance Category for the 2006 Christy Awards. We had thirteen books to read, rate and review. I received my shipment around the February 1st and had until the first week in April to rate them. Because I also review for Romantic Times, Anointed, Rejoice and Gospel Fiction I had to create a plan to keep track of all these books as well as read them on time. Thankfully, I had such a system. My good friend, Jackie Miller, editor of Real Reviewers gave me Waterlane's The Reader's Journal as a Christmas gift.

 

I love this book. It has great quotes from notable authors as well as plenty of writing pages to record what you read.  One of my best quotes in the book comes from Ernest Hemingway:

 

All good books have one thing in common- they are truer than if they had really happened, and after you've read one of them you will feel that all that happened, happened to you and that it belongs to you forever...

 

This month we will discuss such books and how those books relate to this quote, and how why I think they were chosen for Christy selections.

 

But before we do. I want to know how you keep up with the books you read?

 

Dee Stewart is a mother, book critic, book marketing consultant and syndicated columnist. She hosts Third Thursdays Reader Event Series and served as a judge for the 2006 Christy Awards. She’s written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology.

Stop by Gospel Fiction to see my picks of the best summer reads!

 

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Summer Releases

Two books that you do not want to miss this summer have just been released!

Leslie J. Sherrod, a native of Baltimore, celebrated the debut of her novel, Like Sheep Gone Astray, on Thursday evening. Like Sheep Gone Astray is the intriguing story of how one man's quest for wealth leads him down a path that slopes into the dark depths of destruction. Caught in an intricate web of deceit, central character, Anthony Murdock, is on the verge of losing everything--his ministry, his wife, and his integrity. It will take more than money to get him out of the mess he's made, and Anthony knows it. But will he surrender and call on God, or will he sink deeper into the pit that threatens to destroy him?

To learn more about Leslie J. Sherrod and her compelling new novel, visit her website at www.lesliejsherrod.com.

Another novel you don't want to miss is the newly released mystery, Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man, by Claudia Mair Burney. In this gripping, yet humorous story, we meet Amanda Bell Brown, a forensic psychologist who just turned forty. Amanda's birthday plans did not include dead bodies, but much to her surprise, Amanda finds herself standing over two dead men instead of a cake. Things get messy in more ways than one, not only is the scene of the crime more than enough to leave Amanda with goosebumps, but the handsome detective who shows up to solve the crime gives her goosebumps of another kind. As Amanda works on the bizarre case with him, memories of her troubled past arise, opening the door to a journey that she's not sure she's willing to take.

Be sure to meet Claudia Mair Burney on her blog at www.ragamuffindiva.blogspot.com.

Both Burney and Sherrod are gifted writers, their love for storytelling obvious on each page of their books. You won't be sorry you added these selections to your library.

Mata Elliott is the author of the recent Walk Worthy Press/Warner Books release, Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin'. If you would like to read the first chapter of her debut novel, visit Mata online at www.mataelliott.com. The review and author interview section of her website is called Soul Pen and she invites you to check it out when you stop by.

THE TESTIMONY - Stanice Anderson

Hello Chosen Ones:

THE TESTIMONY (a 4-min. video) is my offering for July’s Word Praize. I pray that God continues to use my testimony to get as much glory as possible out of this life that He so graciously spared.

This is the Word that undergirds the writing and speaking ministry entrusted to me:

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” Revelation 12:11 (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

God is blessing us, right now! He's already assigned people to read, see, and hear this multimedia message of hope. Should you feel led, please pass it on.

If you're unable to access the video using the link above, cut and paste the link below onto your browser:
http://www.stanice.com/video/THE.TESTIMONY.stanice.anderson1.wmv

Love,

© 2006, Stanice Anderson, www.stanice.com

PS: A loving thank you to the New Life Bible Church family in Fayetteville, NC for hosting me and providing the video of which THE TESTIMONY is an excerpt.

Write Time

by Camy Tang

Working Full-Time and Writing
(or for any busy writer)

As always, remember that these tips won't all work for everyone, so pick and choose what's right for you.

Some tips on self-discipline

I still struggle quite a bit with self-discipline. I'm better when it's closer to a deadline, but I know I need to be more consistent in general and more efficient with my time.

This is like an exercise regimen--start slow and grow in increments.

Set goals.

Write out your goals as reminders. Post them near your workstation, on the refrigerator, anywhere you can see them often. This will help to motivate you during the day, during the week.

Deny yourself.

Determine to SACRIFICE something in order to reach your writing goal for the week. Maybe it's watching a particular TV show (you would tape record it, obviously), or reducing the number of web discussion boards you participate in for that week.

Then once you reach your goal, you're free to indulge! If you treat yourself to a reward (below) as well, that's a double prize!

What works for me is if I have a particular book I've been wanting to read. I'll rubber-band it closed with my goal written on a post-it note on the cover, and I'll set it right in front of me at the computer. Once I reach my goal, I'm free to read it. It's my proverbial carrot.

Variety is the spice of writing.

Switch sacrifices. If you sacrifice a web discussion boards one week, sacrifice something else the next week. Keep things moving, insert variety, and those sacrifices won't seem so bad since it's only for one week.

Don't forget the chocolate!

In addition to being free to indulge in something you've sacrificed you can also opt to reward yourself. The sacrifice isn't worth it if you don't perceive something good coming out of it. You'll lose motivation quickly.

Determine beforehand what your prize will be. Chocolate works for me, or maybe a book I've been wanting to buy. How about a massage at a day spa? A manicure? A magazine?

Camy Tang lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked biology research, and she is a staff worker for her church youth group. She runs the Story Sensei critique service, and her Asian chick-lit novel has just been contracted by Zondervan.